ABSTRACT
All doctors should be able to undertake a psychiatric assessment, as patients with psychiatric symptoms are commonly encountered in all branches of medicine. Psychiatry is concerned with the study and management of patients with disorders of mental functions. Such conditions are believed to arise as a result of a combination of physical (genetic, neurochemical), psychological, and social factors. Rather than being based on an established aetiology, psychiatric diagnosis depends on recognition of groups of symptoms (syndromes), which occur consistently and, to a certain extent, predict response to specific treatments. Diagnosis not only helps in planning treatment but also facilitates communication and research. This chapter will focus on the clinical skills involved in the assessment of patients with psychiatric disorders. Accurate diagnosis depends on knowledge of the symptoms associated with the various psychiatric disorders, interview skills, and the ability to collect information in a clear and systematic manner.
